Photo Credit: Naples Winter Wine Festival
NAPLES, FL, – The 2024 Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF) concluded this weekend, setting a new milestone by raising over $33 million in a record-breaking live auction. The festival, themed "Generosity in Full Bloom," saw attendees under the big tent just outside The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, bidding on 50 unique, one-of-a-kind wine, travel, and culinary live auction lots. The day's success brings the total amount raised by the NWWF to almost $302 million since its inception in 2001, supporting at-risk and underprivileged children in Collier County.
Record-Breaking Auction Lots
The highlight of the live auction was the sale of the highest amount for a single lot in the festival's history – a staggering $2.7 million for the "Sailing the Turquoise Waters of the Mediterranean." This exclusive experience offers six couples a seven-night cruise on the 312-foot superyacht M/Y Whisper, exploring exotic ports and out-of-the-way destinations in the Mediterranean.
Another standout lot was the "Driving on the Wings of a Cloud," fetching $1.4 million. The winning bidder secured the inaugural 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre, the automaker's first-ever all-electric vehicle, and the only one to be auctioned off in the U.S. this year.
A Night of Extraordinary Experiences
The auction lots were diverse, catering to different tastes and interests. One unique event, "25 Years of Wine, Music, and Generosity," sold for $1 million. 40 couples each contributed $25,000 to partake in an exclusive evening at D’Amico’s The Continental, featuring wines from former NWWF Honored Vintners and a musical performance by The Silverado Pickups, marking the kickoff to the festival's 25th-anniversary season.
In a similar vein, "Million Dollar Meal… ALL for the Kids!" raised $1 million. 40 couples contributed $25,000 each for an exclusive dinner at The Surf Club Restaurant at the Four Seasons in Surfside, Florida, with all proceeds directly benefiting children in need in Collier County.
Supporting Early Learning and Mental Health Initiatives
A heartfelt call to action during the Fund a Need segment, titled "Putting Down Roots: Early Learning GROWS a Healthy Mind," brought in contributions of more than $7.8 million. These funds will support NCEF’s early learning and mental health initiatives, ensuring that children receive the necessary resources and services to grow and thrive.
Culmination of a Weekend of Celebration
The 2024 Naples Winter Wine Festival began with an exclusive Grand Crew Party at Campiello restaurant, honoring renowned winemaker Véronique Boss-Drouhin and Chef Paul Bartolotta. Friday's Meet the Kids Day showcased the impact of NWWF's grants on children's lives, followed by intimate dinners prepared by celebrity chefs and vintners at private homes across Naples.
Although the festival concluded on Saturday, enthusiasts still have the chance to bid on remarkable auction lot items through the online auction at nwwfonlineauction.com or donate to Fund a Need until Tuesday, January 30 at 5 p.m. (EST).
Using the funds raised, NCEF will award grants to local organizations and fund strategic initiatives supporting Collier County children in need on March 18, 2024.
The Naples Winter Wine Festival remains a beacon of hope, showcasing the power of generosity and the impact it can have on the lives of children in need. The 2024 edition not only broke records but also reinforced the festival's commitment to making a lasting difference in the community.
About Naples Winter Wine Festival
The Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF), one of the world's most prestigious charity wine auctions, offers a weekend of unforgettable memories. Guests enjoy world-class food and wine during intimate dinners in elegant, private homes and other landmark settings throughout Naples and are invited to bid on once-in-a-lifetime travel and wine experiences during an electrifying live auction. Since its inaugural event in 2001, the NWWF has raised almost $302 million, making a profound difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in Collier County.
About Naples Children & Education Foundation
The Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, is improving the educational, emotional, and health outcomes of underprivileged and at-risk children. Through its annual grants and strategic initiatives, NCEF has impacted close to 90 of the most effective nonprofits in the local community, providing more than 300,000 children with the services and resources they need to excel. NCEF's unique approach, which emphasizes collaboration between organizations and bridges public and private resources, has become a blueprint for how to transform a community, one issue at a time.
For additional information on the Naples Children & Education Foundation or the Naples Winter Wine Festival, contact Lisa Juliano at lisa@napleswinefestival.com or 239-514-2239.